Chris Botti (born October 12, 1962 in Portland, Oregon, USA) is a smooth ja… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Botti (born October 12, 1962 in Portland, Oregon, USA) is a smooth jazz trumpeter. His famous muted trumpet is the same model that was once used by Miles Davis. He plays a Martin Committee trumpet made 1940 Handicraft and a mouthpiece from Bach made in 1921 Mt Vincent Bach Corp 3C. He has performed with artists such as Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, Jill Scott, Michael Bublé, John Mayer, and Brian Culbertson.

Botti is also a former radio host. His show, called "Chill with Chris Botti," focused mainly on "chill" music, which is described as "smooth jazz with a touch of cool jazz."

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Chris Botti Lyrics

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It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember,
'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
I never got a chance to see him; never heard nothin' but bad things about him.
Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.

Mama just looked at him and said, "Son,
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.

And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Hey, Mama, is it true what the say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
And Mama, they talk all around town say that
Papa had three outside children and another wife
And that ain't right.
Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin'
Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death
And stealin' in the name of the Lord
Mama just hung her head and said,

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades.
Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
Folks say Papa would beg; borrow or steal to pay his bills.
Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin';
Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'!
Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.

Mama just hung her head and said, "Son,
Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.
Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Papa was a rollin' stone.

Wherever he laid his head was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone."

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chris Botti’s “Papa Was A Rollin' Stone” tell a story of a man who never knew his father and seeks answers from his mother about who his father was. He asks his mother if it is true that his father never worked, had multiple wives and children, and spent most of his time chasing women and drinking. The mother admits that his father was a rolling stone and didn't lay down roots anywhere. The father's actions contributed to the family’s poverty and his death left them alone. The song portrays the immense impact that a parent’s absence can have on a child's life and the struggle to come to terms with the reality and legacy they leave behind.

The lyrics also touch upon various societal issues such as absent fathers, poverty, and infidelity. The father's actions are looked down upon by the society, and the mother's pain is evident in her inability to tell her son the truth.

The song was originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for The Temptations and was released in 1972. The song was a huge commercial success and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B performance by a group. The song has since been covered by several artists, including Chris Botti, whose jazz rendition added some flavor to the classic hit song.

Line by Line Meaning

It was the third of September; that day I'll always remember, 'Cause that was the day that my daddy died.
The author vividly remembers the third of September as the day his father passed away.

I never got a chance to see him; never heard nothin' but bad things about him.
The author never had any personal experiences with his father and only received negative feedback about him from others.

Mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
The author is seeking honesty from his mother about his father's life and character.

Mama just looked at him and said, "Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone."
The author's mother acknowledges that his father was unsettled and unfaithful, leading to their separation and his eventual death, leaving them without any support.

Hey, Mama, is it true what they say, that Papa never worked a day in his life?
The author is questioning if it's accurate that his father never held a steady job.

And Mama, they talk all around town say that Papa had three outside children and another wife And that ain't right.
The author has heard rumors that his father had multiple affairs, resulting in additional children and a second wife, which he believes is morally wrong.

Heard them talkin' about Papa doing some storefront preachin' Talkin' about saving your souls and all the time weak, dealin' in death And stealin' in the name of the Lord
The author has heard rumors that his father engaged in fraudulent behavior, mimicking a religious figure to gain money and control, even if it put others in harm's way.

Mama just hung her head and said, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
The author's mother repeats that his father's constant movement and infidelity ultimately led to their family being left without any support after his death.

Hey, Mama, I heard Papa call himself a jack of all trades. Tell me, is that what sent Papa to an early grave?
The author is wondering if his father's tendency to dabble in various trades and not commit to one led to his eventual demise.

Folks say Papa would beg; borrow or steal to pay his bills. Hey, Mama, folks say Papa was never much on thinkin'; Spend most of his time chasin' women and drinkin'! Mama, I'm depending on you to tell me the truth.
According to rumors, the author's father was not financially responsible and often relied on illicit means to pay his bills. Additionally, he was known to prioritize women and alcohol over anything else. The author is again urging his mother to provide him with the truth.

Mama just hung her head and said, "Son, Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone."
The cycle of his father's irresponsibility and infidelity repeating itself is apparent as his mother once again summarizes that he was unsettled and selfish, ultimately leaving their family unsupported.

Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone. Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone. Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone. Papa was a rollin' stone. Wherever he laid his head was his home. And when he died, all he left us was alone.
The chorus is repeated multiple times to underscore the central theme that the father's constant wandering and inability to commit led to his family being unsupported, both financially and emotionally.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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